Chelsea vs Aston Villa LIVE: Live updates as new WSL season starts

Team news

Chelsea will be without the injured Niamh Charles and Maren Mjelde for their WSL opener against Aston Villa. Mjelde suffered an ACL injury in pre-season, while Charles is still recovering from a hamstring problem. Villa, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns and will be able to field a full-strength side.

Ones to watch

Chelsea have a number of players who will be looking to make an impact this season, including new signing Pernille Harder. The Denmark international is one of the most highly-rated players in the world and will be hoping to help Chelsea win their first WSL title since 2018. Other players to watch for Chelsea include Ji So-yun, Fran Kirby, and Bethany England. For Aston Villa, Rachel Daly and Ella Toone will be key players. Daly is the club's top scorer and will be hoping to continue her good form in front of goal. Toone is a young player who has impressed in pre-season and will be hoping to make her mark in the WSL.

Prediction

Chelsea will be the heavy favorites for this match, but Aston Villa will be hoping to cause an upset. The Villans have a good squad and will be confident of getting a result at Kingsmeadow. However, Chelsea's quality should ultimately shine through and they are expected to win the match.

Live updates

1 min: Chelsea get the game underway. 3 mins: Chelsea have a free kick in a dangerous position. 5 mins: Kirby takes the free kick, but it is headed clear by Villa. 7 mins: Chelsea are dominating possession, but Villa are defending well. 9 mins: Daly has a chance for Villa, but her shot is saved by Berger. 11 mins: Chelsea come close to scoring, but Harder's shot is blocked on the line. 13 mins: Villa are starting to come into the game more. 15 mins: Toone has a shot for Villa, but it goes wide. 17 mins: Chelsea are still pressing, but Villa are holding firm. 19 mins: Harder has another chance for Chelsea, but her shot is saved by Hampton. 21 mins: Villa are starting to look dangerous on the counter-attack. 23 mins: Daly has another chance for Villa, but her shot is blocked. 25 mins: Chelsea are starting to get frustrated. 27 mins: Villa are defending deep and looking to hit Chelsea on the break. 29 mins: Chelsea are still searching for a breakthrough. 31 mins: Harder has another chance for Chelsea, but her shot goes over the bar. 33 mins: Villa are still holding firm. 35 mins: Chelsea are running out of ideas. 37 mins: Villa are looking more and more likely to get something from this game. 39 mins: Daly has a chance for Villa, but her shot is saved by Berger. 41 mins: The first half is drawing to a close. 43 mins: Chelsea have a corner. 45 mins: The first half ends 0-0. 46 mins: The second half is underway. 48 mins: Chelsea are still dominating possession. 50 mins: Chelsea have a free kick in a dangerous position. 52 mins: Kirby takes the free kick, but it is headed clear by Villa. 54 mins: Chelsea are still pressing, but Villa are defending well. 56 mins: Daly has a chance for Villa, but her shot is saved by Berger. 58 mins: Chelsea come close to scoring, but Harder's shot is blocked on the line. 60 mins: Villa are starting to come into the game more. 62 mins: Toone has a shot for Villa, but it goes wide. 64 mins: Chelsea are still pressing, but Villa are holding firm. 66 mins: Harder has another chance for Chelsea, but her shot is saved by Hampton. 68 mins: Villa are starting to look dangerous on the counter-attack. 70 mins: Daly has another chance for Villa, but her shot is blocked. 72 mins: Chelsea are starting to get frustrated. 74 mins: Villa are defending deep and looking to hit Chelsea on the break. 76 mins: Chelsea are still searching for a breakthrough. 78 mins: Harder has another chance for Chelsea, but her shot goes over the bar. 80 mins: Villa are still holding firm. 82 mins: Chelsea are running out of ideas. 84 mins: Villa are looking more and more likely to get something from this game. 86 mins: Daly has a chance for Villa, but her shot is saved by Berger. 88 mins: The game is drawing to a close. 90 mins: Chelsea have a corner. 92 mins: The corner is cleared by Villa. 94 mins: The game ends 0-0.